The University of La Laguna has initiated the elaboration of a Cooperation Plan with West Africa, in a meeting held on 25 March with some thirty actors of the community. This initiative is part of the Canary Islands-Africa Strategy proposed by the regional government and seeks to consolidate previous experiences in research, training and sustainable development, presenting a joint document to European institutions in 2026.
During the meeting, the interests and experiences of various public and private entities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife were discussed, highlighting the geostrategic importance of the archipelago and its links with Africa. At the EU-AU Summit in 2022, common objectives were established for 2030 that require investment in health, sustainability and decent employment on the African continent. Despite Spain's previous initiatives through the Africa Plan, problems persist, such as the lack of economic and political integration and limited access to funding and technology.
The University of La Laguna is already involved in international cooperation and research projects in African countries, addressing issues such as gender equality, microplastics reduction and disease eradication. It also seeks to create an International Academic Hub with Africa, focusing its work on four areas: environment, health, social welfare and economy.